Billy Abraham pleads not guilty in intoxicated manslaughter case; trial set for '12

Businessman William D. "Billy" Abraham along with his attorney Dolph Quijano (l) and Margo Abraham walk into the El Paso County Courthouse where Abraham pleaded not guilty Thursday morning to charges that he struck and killed a 47-year-old man in Downtown El Paso last year.

Abraham, 55, appeared before Judge Patrick Garcia in the 384th District Court alongside his attorney, Dolph Quijano. Garcia set Abraham's next court hearing for Sept. 8, and a jury trial for Feb. 24, 2012.

Last week, a state grand jury indicted Abraham on one count of intoxicated manslaughter and one count of accident involving a death.

The victim, Jay Grady, 47, was walking across Paisano Drive when he was struck by a GMC Sierra allegedly driven by Abraham at 9:40 p.m. July 21, 2010. Police alleged Abraham was intoxicated and left the scene of the accident.

Grady was originally from Abilene but had stayed at the Rescue Mission and Opportunity Center in recent years. Police initially described him as homeless, which his family members have denied.

Abraham, who owns several properties in Downtown El Paso, was arrested on the day of the crash and was later released from the El Paso County Jail after posting a $60,000 bond.

Abraham's father is prominent El Paso attorney Joseph "Sib" Abraham, who has said that the accident was a tragedy but that an indictment does not mean his son is guilty.

Sib Abraham said the collision occurred on a dark street and his son was unable to see Grady, who wasn't in a crosswalk.

According to police, a U.S.

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Border Patrol agent saw the pickup leave the scene of the crash and radioed a description of the vehicle to other agents nearby.

Another agent saw the truck, which had a broken headlight, blood on its front end and damage on its right side, a few blocks from the scene and followed it.

Police alleged that Billy Abraham refused to stop and led agents on a five-mile, low-speed chase.

Border Patrol agents eventually stopped him near the Sunland Park-Interstate 10 exit on Paisano Drive and waited for police.

Sib Abraham has said his son stopped when he noticed Border Patrol agents signaling him to pull over.

According to the arrest affidavit, police noticed that Abraham smelled of alcohol and had slurred speech and glassy, bloodshot eyes.

When officers asked how much he had to drink, Abraham "stated that he did not drink."

Adriana M. Chávez may be reached at 546-6117; achavez@elpasotimes.com.

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